Gages for limiting the movement between parts



Oct, 9, 1956 H. SARAVALLI 2,765,537

GAGES FOR LIMITING THE MOVEMENT BETWEEN PARTS Filed Apx il 7, 1955 //v VENT/JR 5mm vm Ll 5y 3AM HTTX Unitfi 1 6 Patent GAGES FOR LIMITING THE MOVEMENT BETWEEN PARTS Herman Saravalli, Chicago, Ill., 'assignor to Western Electric Company, Incorporated, New'York, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application April 7, 1953, Serial No. 347,240 8 Claims. (Cl. 33-168) This invention relates to gages for controlling the movement of a part relative to another to obtain predetermined spacings therebetween and more particularly to a gage having a magnet integral therewith for retaining the gage in different positions on the armature of a relay for limiting the movement thereof to predetermined positions during the testing of the relay.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved type of self-supporting limit gage.

A further object of the present invention is to provide in a gage for limiting the movement of a part, magnet means for retaining the gage on the part.

In accordance with one embodiment of the invention :as applied to a relay for limiting the movement of the armature-during the testing and adjusting of the relay, there is provided a composite gage having a bar magnet to one face of which is secured a gage plate having a plurality of sections of different thicknesses and to the opposite face of which is secured a retaining strip which is so positioned relative to the magnet and the gage plate as to form a channel for receiving the end portion of the armature with the gage plate and strip in engagement with opposite sides of the armature and with the magnet in engagement with the edge of the armature to magnetically retain the gage in different set positions on the aramture.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent by reference to the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings illustrating a preferred embodiment thereof, in which Fig. l is an enlarged perspective view of the gage;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary diagrammatic view in perspective showing a portion of the relay and its armature to which the gage is adapted to be applied for limiting the movement thereof; I p

Figs. 3 and 4 are elevational views of a portion of the relay showing the gage in different gaging positions on the armature thereof; and

Fig. 5 isa diagrammatic cross-sectional view through a relay showing the gage applied to the armatureon the relay.

The prescntgage is designed to be applied to the armatures of relays of the type used in crossbar automatictelephone switching apparatus to limit the movement of the armatureto predetermined'positions relative to the pole piece to obtain predetermined spacings therebetween to permit the testing and adjusting-of the spring contacts of the relay in various positions of the farrnature.

As shown somewhat diagrammatically in Figs; 2'to 5, the relay 9 comprises an electromagnet 11? mounted on the lower end of a frame 11 and having a core provided with a pole piece 12 projecting from one end thereof. The pole piece 12 has converging surfaces on the face thereof forming a point substantially on the axis of the core (Fig. 5). An armature 16 of iron having an actuating member 17 formed integral therewith is pivotally mounted on the frame 11 for oscillation about a vertical axis 18. The actuating member 17 of the armature, which is yieldably retained in a normal open position (Fig. 5), is

size.

'35 disposed in alignment with the pole 'the' armature 16, the gage 30 is moved adapted to actuate a plurality of rod-like cards 20 of insulating material disposed in vertically spaced relation to each other in the path of movement of the member 17. Each of the cards 20 is interconnected with the bifurcated ends of a plurality of flat springs 22 mounted at 23 on the frame 11 in spaced and insulated relation to each other and the frame. The cards 20 are guided for movement transversely of the springs 22 and in response to energization of the electromagnet 10, they move the contacts 25 on the bifurcated ends of the springs 22 into engagement with contacts 26 on vertically extending stationary conductor bars 27, whichare mounted on the framell in insulated relation thereto.

It is essential that the springs 22 of the relay be disposed so that the contacts 25 will remain open and disengaged from the contacts 26 for a predetermined portion of the traverse of the armature 16 and the actuating member 17 and that the contacts 25 engage and establish contact with the contacts 26 during a selected different portion of the traverse of the actuating lever 17 and the armature 16.

The gage 30 (Fig. 1) comprises a gage member 31 of non-magnetic material in the form of a plate to one face of which is bonded one or more permanent bar magnets 32 to which is bonded a retaining member 33 in the form of a fiat strip of non-magnetic material, the parts being arranged to form a channel for receiving the end of the armature therein. When the gage is applied to the armature with the gage member 31 engaging one face of the armature and with the bar magnets 32 engaging the vertical edge portion of the armature 16, the ledge formed by the projecting portion of the retaining member 33 is positioned so as to be in engagement with or in close proximity to the other face of the armature for retaining the gage member 31 in engagement with said one face of the armature.

' The gage member 31 may have'a uniform thickness to provide a'gagesection of a single size, or the member 31'may be provided with a plurality of sections of different thicknesses. As disclosed herein the member '31 "has a section 34 of one size and a section 35 of a second If-desired, separate gage plates of different sizes may be used in lieu of a single gage member 31.

' The gage 30 is adapted to be applied to the armature in a first position with the gage section 34 in alignment with the pole piece 12 (Fig. 3) preparatory to applying one test to the relay, and the gage 30 may be moved vertically to a second position with the second gage section piece 12 (Fig; 4) When applied to downwardly into engagement with the transversely bent portion 37 of the frame 11, which serves to stop the gage 30 in-its first position (Fig. 3), and the gage 30 is stopped'in its second'posit'ion (Fig. 4) by the engagement'of anabutment 38 on the gage 30 with the armature 16. The abutment 38' is formed by the lower transversely bent portion of the member '33,

The magnets 32, which are made from talnico and serve to magnetically support thelgage 30 on the armature, *are spaced a predetermined distance'fromone edge for applying another test to the relay.

of thegage member 31 so that when the gage 30 applied to the armature 16 with the magnets 32 in engagement with the edge of the armature, the edge portion 40 of the member 31 is in a position on the armature to engage the point of the pol piece 12 when the armature is attracted to the pole piece. Where a gage member 31 having a plurality of different sizes of gaging sections is used, a plurality of bar magnets 32 are mounted on the member 31 with opposing poles of the magnets in spaced relation to each other and of opposite polarities (Fig. 1) to insur that one of the magnets has both of its poles vsaid part, and a nent magnet in spaced relation to said gage member for adjacent the armature 16, in either position of the gage,

so that the armature may provide a path for the flux of the magnet and a strong magnetic attraction between the magnet and the armature may be obtained to hold 'the gage 30 securely in position.

To perform one testing operation on the relay, the gage 30 is applied to the armature 16 in the position shown in Fig. 3 and the electromagnet is energized to actuate the springs 22 to a predetermined position in which the contacts should engage the stationary contacts 26. Electrical tests may then be conducted to determine if any of the contacts 25 are disengaged from the contacts 26 and if they are, the springs 22 may be adjusted accordingly. On completion of this test the gage may be .moved upwardly to the position shown in Fig. 4 and the second testing operations may be performed on the relay. The electromagnet 10 is again energized to move the springs 22 to a second predetermined position in which .the contacts 25 thereon should be open and in a predetermined spaced relation to the contacts 26 and if some of them are not so positioned, the springs are adjusted accordingly.

It will thus be seen that this gage may be readily placed onto and removed from the armature, easily moved vertically from one position to another to align either gage section with the pole piece, and that the gage 30 is firmly supported on the armature for movement therewith during the testing operations.

It is to be understood that the above-described arrangements are simply illustrative of the application of the principles of this invention. Numerous other arrangements may be readily devised by thos skilled in the art which will embody the principles of the invention and fall within the spirit and scope thereof.

What is claimed is:

1. A gage for limiting the movement of relay armatures during the testing and adjusting of said relays comprising a gage plate, a retaining member, a magnet interposed between and secured to said plate and retaining member to provide a recess for receiving the end portion of said armature with the plate and retaining member in engagement with opposite faces of said armature and with the magnet in engagement with the end of said armature to magnetically retain said gage thereon.

2. A self-supporting gage which comprises a gage plate having a face engageable with a surface of a magnetic part and having a plurality of gaging portions of different thicknesses for variously spacing the magnetic part relative to a second part, and a magnet secured to the gage plate and engageable with another surface of the magnetic part for magnetically supporting the gage on the magnetic part in different positions.

3. A quickly positioned and removable gage for limiting the movement of a magnetic part comprising a gage member engageable with one surface of said part, a permanent magnet secured to said gage member and engageable with a second surface of said part disposed transversely of said one surface for holding said gage onto retaining member secured to said permareceiving a portion of said part between and in engagement with said gage member and said retaining member.

4. A self-supporting gage for limiting the movement of a magnetic part comprising a gage member engageable with one surface of said part, an element on said gage member engageable with a second surface of said part extending transversely of said first surface, and a second element mounted in fixed and spaced relation to said gage member for receiving a portion of said part between and in engagement with said gage member and said second element, one of said elements being a permanent magnet for magnetically holding said gage onto said part in gaging position.

5. A self-supporting gage applicable to a relay armature for limiting the movement thereof toward the pole piece of an electromagnet associated therewith during the testing of the relay comprising a bar magnet engageable with the edge of the armature, a gage plate having a plurality of sections of unequal thicknesses for varying the spacing between the armature and the pole piece secured to one face of said bar magnet and extending laterally from the bar magnet for engagement with one side of the armature, and a member secured to the opposite face of the bar magnet and extending laterally from the bar magnet for engagement with the opposite side of said armature, said magnet serving to magnetically hold the gage on the armature in set positions for selectively aligning said gage sections with said pole piece.

6. A self-supporting gage applicable to a relay armature for limiting the movement thereof toward the pole piece of an electromagnet associated therewith during the testing of the relay comprising a bar magnet engageable with the edge of the armature, a gage plate having a plurality of sections of unequal thicknesses for varying the spacing between the armature and the pole piec secured to one face of said bar magnet and extending laterally from the bar magnet for engagement with one side of the armature, a member secured to the opposite face of the bar magnet and extending laterally from the bar magnet for engagement with the opposite side of said armature, and a stop member mounted in fixed relation to said gage plate and engageable with the edge of said armature for positioning said gage in a predetermined position with one of said gage sections in alignment with said pole piece.

7. A gage for limiting the relative movement between a magnetic part and another part comprising a gage member having a flat surface engageable with one surface of said magnetic part, and a positioning member fixed to said gage member and having a surface extending transversely from said flat surface and engageable with another surface on said magnetic part disposed transversely of said one surface for positioning said gage member on said magnetic part in one direction, one of said members being a permanent magnet for magnetically supporting said gage on said magnetic part.

8. A gage for limiting the relative movement between a magnetic part and another part comprising a gage member having a flat surface engageable with one surface of said magnetic part, and a permanent magnet mounted on said gage member and having a surface extending transversely from said fiat surface and engageable with another surface on said magnetic part disposed transversely of said one surface for positioning said gage member on said magnetic part in one direction and magnetically supporting it thereon.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Thompson Aug. 16, 1927 

